However, Lauber notes that Domínguez has returned home to the Dominican Republic and plans to rest his arm while baseball is on hiatus due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As tests have not yet been conclusive for a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament, Domínguez plans to undergo additional testing once baseball resumes to determine if there has been improvement. Tommy John surgery would cost him the entire 2020 season, whatever it looks like, and a sizable portion of the 2021 season as well most likely.

As mentioned earlier, it has recently become a popular time for pitchers to undergo Tommy John surgery. This month, Chris Sale, Noah Syndergaard, and Tyler Beede have all undergone the procedure with uncertainty in the sport’s near future. Many states have ordered hospitals to suspend elective surgeries, which would describe Tommy John surgery. Nevertheless, the aforementioned pitchers were still able to have work done. Domínguez could be next, though the fact that he would likely need to come to the U.S. would complicate matters.

Domínguez, 25, broke out as a rookie in 2018, recording 16 saves with a 2.95 ERA and a 74/22 K/BB ratio over 58 innings. He wasn’t as successful over the first two months and change of last season before his season ended due to the elbow injury.

Even if Domínguez waits to undergo surgery, which he should, the Phillies have him under contract through 2024.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher has reversed course and will continue to pay minor leaguers. Fisher tells Slusser, “I concluded I made a mistake.” He said he is also setting up an assistance fund for furloughed employees.

The A’s decided in late May to stop paying paying minor leaguers as of June 1, which was the earliest date on which any club could do so after an MLB-wide agreement to pay minor leaguers through May 31 expired. In the event, the A’s were the only team to stop paying the $400/week stipends to players before the end of June. Some teams, notable the Royals and Twins, promised to keep the payments up through August 31, which is when the minor league season would’ve ended. The Washington Nationals decided to lop off $100 of the stipends last week but, after a day’s worth of blowback from the media and fans, reversed course themselves.

An @sfchronicle exclusive: A's owner John Fisher reverses course, apologizes: team will pay minor-leaguers; "I concluded I made a mistake," he tells me. He's also setting up an assistance fund for furloughed employees: https://t.co/8HUBkFAaBx)